On April 29th 2009 vehicle type approval became mandatory for virtually all passenger cars (M₁). The rollout of type approval for other vehicle categories – new commercial vehicles, buses and trailers – is happening over a five year period.

The next key date is 29 October 2011. This affects 2 sets of vehicle categories.

1. Minibuses, buses and coaches
After this date, type approval becomes mandatory for all new minibuses, buses and coaches (M₂ and M₃ categories), regardless of whether they are intended for private use or paying passengers (“hire and reward”). After this date, if the vehicle does not have an approval certificate it can not be registered with DVLA for use on the road. No Approval No Sale!

Affected companies and dealers are advised to begin preparations now, if they have not begun already. Bearing in mind the lead time between completion of vehicle manufacture and vehicle registration, it is essential to make the transition early to ensure that you are not left with unapproved and non-compliant stocks of vehicles after 29 October – we strongly recommend that all buses whose manufacture is finished after 29 July 2011 comply with one of the approval options (ECWVTA, NSSTA, IVA) under the new regime.

As part of this exercise, VOSA have announced that no COIF applications on behalf of new vehicles can be made after 23 September 2011, unless the applicant can provide evidence that the vehicle was manufactured before 29 July 2011 and is thus exempt. Any COIF certificate issued to a bus manufactured after 29 July 2011 will be stamped with: “This certificate is not valid for registration if presented after close of business on 28 October 2011”.

2. Light Trucks.
After this date, existing GB Goods Vehicle National Type Approval (NTA) certificates from VCA are no longer valid for the production of light trucks of up to (and including) 3500kg gross weight (N₁ category). Manufacturers wishing to manufacture light trucks or chassis will have to apply for approval under the new regime.

Trucks or chassis produced before 29 October 2011, with NTA Certificates of Conformity that were valid on the date of manufacture, can continue to be registered until 29 April 2013. Bodybuilders are permitted to add a body to such an approved chassis.

For details of all mandatory dates download a copy of the implementation timetable.